Kingston High School Seniors to Compete in Anita Williams Peck Public Speaking Competition for $7,500 in Scholarships
Sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.
June 10, 2026 – Stone Ridge, NY – On Monday, June 15 at 6:00 p.m., seven Kingston High School students will compete in the annual Anita Williams Peck Public Speaking Competition for $7,500 in scholarship awards for the best public speaking presentations. The event will be held at SUNY Ulster in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.
The event will feature qualifying seniors presenting five-minute persuasive speeches on current event topics of their choice before a panel of noted judges.
Three scholarship awards totaling $7,500 will be presented: 1st place, $3,500; 2nd place, $2,500; and $1,500 for 3rd place. Judging the competition will be Stephen Balantzian, Associate Professor of Communication & Theatre, and Coordinator of Media & Performing Arts, and Mary Tarzca ‘78, Professor of Communications.
Established through a partnership between the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., and Kingston High School, with a charitable gift from Anita Williams Peck, who continued to support the program annually, the competition is designed to encourage students to refine their oral communication skills.
“Communicating effectively and speaking with confidence are among the most valuable skills students can develop,” said SUNY Ulster President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D. “The Anita Williams Peck Public Speaking competition celebrates the power of ideas, the courage to share them, and the opportunity for students to discover the impact of their voices. We are deeply grateful for Anita’s enduring legacy and impact in making this possible, which continues to invest in students as they develop the confidence, communication skills and leadership abilities that will serve them throughout their lives.”
The College and members of the community experienced a great loss with the unexpected passing of Ms. Peck in January 2019. Longtime proprietor of Williams Lake, Ms. Peck is also remembered for her civic leadership and guidance as a past chair of the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. Anita Williams Peck’s legacy includes her personal dedication to others, her spirit, and her generosity to so many. She endowed the Anita Williams Peck Public Speaking Competition with a major gift to the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., which ensures the continuation of this event in perpetuity.
This event is free and open to the public.
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